Dragonfly Symbolism

I’ve always loved Dragonflies.

Many years ago, during a particularly beautiful day on a wilderness canoe trip in Ontario’s Northwest, a dragonfly landed on my shoulder. It remained there for a good half hour while I had time to contemplate it’s very unique structure and colour. I selfishly assumed it was some kind of good luck ‘omen’, not only because it was keeping other insects away, but because it had a calming effect, allowing me to really absorb the beauty and tranquility of the space I was in.

After that trip, I hadn’t given dragonflies much thought, but was always drawn to images of the dragonfly, whether it be in photos, artwork or other decorative items. So, when searching for a symbol to represent the work I do I naturally landed on the dragonfly. Being curious, I researched the symbolism (not knowing if there was any) of the Dragonfly.

I guess I wasn’t far off the mark when considering my dragonfly a good luck omen. In China, people associate the dragonfly with prosperity, harmony and as a good luck charm. Amongst Indigenous North Americans, it is a sign of happiness, speed and purity. Purity because the dragonfly eats from the wind itself. Again, my good fortune in not having insects venture close while my friend was on my shoulder.

The dragonfly’s agile flight, scurrying across the surface of water, and its ability to move in all six directions exude a sense of power and poise. The dragonfly can move at an amazing 45 miles an hour, hover like a helicopter, fly backwards like a hummingbird, fly straight up and straight down. What is mind blowing is the fact that it can do this while flapping its wings a mere 30 times a minute while mosquitoes and houseflies need to flap their wings 600 and 1000 times a minute respectively. If you look at proportions, the dragonfly has 20 times as much power in each of its wing strokes when compared to other insects. And the dragonfly does it with elegance and grace. This quality, plus the traditional association of dragonflies with water, draws a parallel to all of the powerful women I have been lucky to be acquainted with in my life through the sport of rowing. Power, elegance and grace come to mind when thinking of my crew-mates over the years.

*Thanks to R. Jones, Biologist and writer for the insights into the remarkable dragonfly